Community Corner

Rambam Mesivta proudly announces the outstanding honorees of the Class of 2026: Valedictorian Avi Pearlman, Salutatorian Yoni Kogan, and Keter Shem Tov/Rambam Man Award recipient Jacob Gordon. Each of these young men exemplifies Rambam’s commitment to excellence in Torah, academics, and character.

Asil Assaidi, a 22-year-old Bronx man, was arraigned last Friday on charges related to a chaotic and fiery car meetup along the Middle Village-Maspeth border. The incident, which took place on Saturday evening, April 18, saw Assaidi allegedly driving in circles and figure-eight patterns through rings of ignited liquid. The intersection of 69^th Street and Eliot Avenue was flooded with approximately 100 people and 50 vehicles when the stunts began. According to the criminal complaint, Assaidi performed multiple maneuvers through the flames, nearly striking pedestrians standing nearby. The location was particularly hazardous: The stunts occurred in close proximity to two gas stations.

In an effort to proactively address one of the fastest-growing challenges facing today’s teens, MTA hosted a powerful and thought-provoking program for its 11^th and 12^th graders centered on the dangers of gambling. As access to online betting platforms continues to expand, what was once distant or abstract has become an increasingly real presence in the lives of high school students. This program was designed to meet that reality head-on with honesty, depth, and care.

Man Sentenced in Fatal Shooting of Detective Jonathan Diller in Far Rockaway

Guy Rivera was sentenced Monday to 115 years to life in prison for the 2024 fatal shooting of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller and the attempted murder of Sergeant Sasha Rosen. The 36-year-old was convicted earlier this month of aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon.

The Middle School Robotics Team has been working all year building, coding, testing, and revising robots. The robots were designed to lift different colored pins and stack them. Students competed in the CIJE Vex Robotics Competition held at the Fort Washington Armory with students from yeshivos from around the country. Over 150 robots were in the competition!

Met Council is encouraging New Yorkers on Medicaid to find out whether they qualify for weekly glatt kosher groceries delivered directly to their homes through a newly available benefit. Many individuals and families may already be eligible for food and nutrition support as part of their Medicaid coverage but are not yet aware of it. Met Council is helping community members understand what benefits may be available to them and guiding them through a simple, respectful screening process.